Feral Jundi

Friday, May 4, 2012

Industry Talk: KBR In Bidding To Privatize British Police Forces

Filed under: Industry Talk,Law Enforcement,United Kingdom — Tags: , , , , , — Matt @ 5:37 PM

This is an interesting one, just because of the shock that the British press is having about KBR getting involved with the bidding. But of course, this is the British office of KBR bidding on this, and that is why they are able to participate. But check out this title of an article written in the Guardian.

Guantánamo Bay contractor on shortlist to run UK police services

US firm KBR, which helped build detention camp, among consortiums bidding to run police services in West Midlands and Surrey

Now that is funny.  Really emphasize the fact that KBR built that prison…Dorks. From the same article, here is a statement from KBR.

“KBR is not involved in policing, our objective in the privatisation of the police force is to get more police doing actual police work while KBR brings operational efficiencies to the back office with the objective of achieving an overall lower cost of service while improving service levels,” said a spokesman. “We are an operational support company whose capabilities are transferable to critical, uniformed, command-led environments such as the police.”

Not only that, but I don’t see the US press having a fit when Aegis (the US branch) bids and gets US contracts. Hell, they won a massive contract in the early days of Iraq, funded by US tax dollars, and that is what put Aegis on the map.lol Or how about the Embassy in Afghanistan contract (KESF contract, and check out news about it at SOCNET), which is currently in the process of transitioning from AGNA to Aegis. Aegis of course is owned by Tim Spicer of Sandline fame, and that company had history too–just like KBR.

So with that said, I wish KBR luck and I certainly hope the bidding process and following contracts give these British police forces a good service. I also wish Aegis good luck with the US embassy contract. –Matt

 

US military-industrial giant KBR in bidding to privatize British police forces
May 02, 2012
Giant US military-industrial company Kellogg Brown & Root (KBR) is in the running to win a slice of a controversial £1.5 billion (US$2.43 billion) contract to transform the West Midlands and Surrey police forces in Britain, The (London) Times reported.

Hailed as the largest police privatization scheme in the UK, it has been suggested the private companies who win the contract will be tasked to perform several police functions — including patrols, detention and criminal investigation.

KBR, a former subsidiary of the Halliburton group, has attracted its share of criticism over the large contracts it won with the US government during the recent wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. The corporation also helped to build the Guantanamo Bay detention facility.

The Times reported that it was among four groups shortlisted to win the British police contract, a number whittled down from more than 200.

A KBR spokesman said its bid was the first time the corporation had attempted to get involved in regular policing.

(more…)

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Training: SIA Close Protection Officer Course, Pennsylvania

    Check it out. You can get credits with Bucks New University, some excellent close protection training, and the SIA license–and all in the US. This is a great opportunity for those guys in the US that wanted to get this license via a course like this.

     The other thing to mention though is that I have no clue if the SIA program will be around much longer? My guess is that it will stick around for a bit, and the license will still continue to be required by companies in Europe or in the war zones. A big hat tip to Steven Collins and his crew over at BIS for getting the word out on this. –Matt

——————————————————————

(from Black Ice Security)

S.I.A. Close Protection Officer Course

Description:

BRTC and Globe Risk are offering the only Close Protection training program in North America that is approved by the Security Industry Authority (S.I.A.) in the UK. This program also has the distinction of being accredited by Bucks New University, UK, an internationally recognized academic institution.  The course will end with the S.I.A. licensing examination.

Recognized internationally as the security industry’s benchmark for training in Close Protection, the S.I.A. certification is available to those who successfully complete the training course and pass practical and written exams. The SIA course will also provide 15 points towards a degree in Protective services from Bucks New University.  SIA is the U.K. authority for security specialists and licensing which will likely be necessary for security agents who provide protective services during the 2012 Olympic Games.

Course Content:

(Knowledge and practical skills 150 hours minimum)

–          Role and Responsibilities of the Close Protection Operative

–          Threats and Risk Assessment

–          Surveillance Awareness

–          Operational Planning

–          Law and Legislation

–          Interpersonal Skills

–          Close Protection Teamwork and Briefing

–          Conduct Reconnaissance’s

–          Close Protection Foot Drills

–          Route Selections

–          Close Protection Journey Management

–          Search Procedures

–          Incident Management

–          Venue Security

–          Communication and Conflict Management

–          Final Examination

–          Tactical Medical Care

(more…)

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Call to Action: E-petition to Create an Award to Recognize the Work of UK Private Security Contractors

     Pretty cool, and please pass this around to your friends and comrades in the UK.  I posted this on Facebook as well, and be sure to share it with friends across the pond.  This would be an excellent way to recognize the sacrifice of contractors in this war, and the symbolism of such a thing would be excellent.  I hope it goes well for you guys.  Cheers. –Matt

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We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Create an award to recognise the work of Private Security Contractors.

You must be a British citizen or resident to sign the petition. Please enter your name only; signatures containing other text may be removed by the petitions team.

*****

Submitted by Chris Jones of None – Deadline to sign up by: 04 December 2009 – Signatures: 116

More details from petition creator,

We would like the government to take the following action and to recogize the work of Private Security Contactors, In the form of a letter or award for those who have proof of service.

And to express our deepest sympathy for the four Close Protection Officers who were captured in 2007 in Iraq, which as the news emerges are all dead now.

We all know that we are not recognised as former Soldiers for the work we carry out as security officers worldwide and in hostile areas, such as Iraq and Afghanistan today.

Although the vast majority of all Security Contractors are long serving and with distinguished military carriers. I am sure you will agree it is high time that we should all be recognised for our services.

After all it is the government who require us to work in these areas for them, yet still it is the same government who do not recognize these services, without us the work would not go on.

The war in Iraq for example would not have been won without the security contractors.

God bless all the the men that have died serving there country and as private security officers, our deepest sympathies go out to their families.

*****

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